Report: Global Meat Consumption Growth Slumping

Worldwide meat consumption is slowing due in part to drought, feed prices, and animal disease.

A new report released by the Worldwatch Institute reveals that the growth rate of global meat consumption and production has declined in the past two years, despite a former increase in both over the past decade. The report indicates that meat production has grown 20 percent worldwide since 2001 and global per-capita meat consumption has increased by 15 percent since 1995, with growth in developing countries progressing at an even more rapid rate. However, the study reveals that per-capita consumption decreased in 2011, from 42.5kg to 42.3kg per person. The decline is due in part to drought driving up feed prices and increased cases of animal disease in some parts of the world. Another report from Rabobank projects higher global meat prices and indicates that high prices drive consumers to buy more plant-based foods.